Published: 04th February 2020
Do we need jaded teachers today? The debate is still on
More questions arise: Why teachers qualified to teach lower classes were given higher classes? Why refresher courses were not held for teachers?


Image for representational purpose only (Pic: Pixabay)
One time, the teacher was the storehouse of knowledge. That will no longer be so. So what would a teacher do? A very good teacher will play the role of augmenter
— Shiv Nadar, Indian billionaire industrialist and philanthropist
Teachers are supposed to lead their students with their depth of knowledge and dedication to their profession. But sometimes, we come across instances of the blind leading the blind as reported in the media in early December 2019. But first, the facts.
As many as 16 teachers of state-run schools in Madhya Pradesh, which reported the worst Class X and Class XII examination results in the 2018/2019 academic session and also failed to qualify two examinations to assess their teaching proficiency in June and October 2019, have been compulsorily retired by the Madhya Pradesh government.
School Education Minister Dr Prabhuram Choudhary said, “Two examinations were conducted for teachers of Class X and XII MP Board for Secondary Education. The results were very poor — ranging between zero and 30 per cent. Some 5,891 teachers in various subjects were identified and put through a qualifying exam on June 12, 2019. Shockingly, 1,351 of those teachers failed to secure the necessary 50% qualifying marks,” he said. “Those who failed were given two months of training and time to prepare for the second qualification exam conducted on October 14. Not only was the qualifying marks lowered from 50% to 33%, but they were even allowed to take the exam with textbooks. But still, 84 failed,” said Choudhary.
A high-level committee was constituted, which recommended that 16 of the 84 teachers who failed both exams and had either completed 20 years in service or attained 50 years of age be compulsorily retired. Twenty teachers who didn’t come under the above category faced departmental enquiry while 26 who were tasked for primary teaching but found engaging senior classes were reverted.
Many questions arise. Why were these dismal facts not found earlier? Why teachers qualified to teach lower classes were given higher classes? Why refresher courses were not held for teachers? Who protected the jaded teachers and for what price? Why should the supervising officials go scot-free?
